Emilia Clarke’s role as Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s “Game of Thrones” is celebrated for its complexity and depth, but few know the full extent of the personal challenges she faced behind the scenes. Clarke, who was only 25 years old when she first appeared on the show, encountered significant pressure to perform n*dity, a demand that she often found overwhelming.
In a revealing interview with Dax Shepard on his “Armchair Expert” podcast, Clarke shared her discomfort with these scenes. “I’ve had fights on set where I’m like, ‘No, the sheet stays up’, and they’re like, ‘You don’t wanna disappoint your Game of Thrones fans,’” she disclosed, highlighting the tension between her personal boundaries and the expectations set by the showrunners. Despite the stress, Clarke handled these scenes with grace, driven by her commitment not to let down the series’ fanbase.
The Scene That Pushed Emilia Clarke to Her Limits
While the naked scenes were undeniably challenging, Clarke revealed that the most daunting task she faced on “Game of Thrones” did not involve naked at all. It was, in fact, delivering a crucial Dothraki speech in the final season that truly tested her resolve. This moment was pivotal not only for her character but for the show’s storyline, placing immense pressure on Clarke to perform flawlessly.
“I knew that speech was going to be really important, and I spent a huge amount of time learning it. And for the first time in my whole Game of Thrones career, I got that word perfect. I’m being so brutally honest here – I was in hell learning that speech. This pretend language was literally eating me up. I couldn’t do it,” Clarke shared in the documentary “When Winter Falls.”
Her perseverance paid off spectacularly, as her delivery was not only accurate but also emotionally powerful, leaving an indelible impact on viewers and proving that speaking a fictional language could be as demanding as any physical scene.
How Dothraki Became a Beacon During Her Health Struggles
Amidst her professional challenges, Clarke also faced serious health issues, including an aneurysm that threatened not only her career but her life. During this vulnerable time, her experience with “Game of Thrones” provided unexpected support. Memorizing lines in Dothraki helped Clarke maintain her cognitive functions and keep her memory sharp, an exercise that was crucial during her recovery.
Speaking to Stephen Colbert, Clarke expressed how the complex language of Dothraki played a role in her health: “Remembering my lines in the show aided me to stay conscious,” she said, revealing another layer of her connection with the character and the show.
Emilia Clarke’s Legacy as Daenerys
Emilia Clarke’s journey through “Game of Thrones” was marked by both visible and invisible battles. From challenging the norms of her role to mastering a complex fictional language under the direst personal circumstances, Clarke’s tenure as Daenerys Targaryen was not just a portrayal of a queen on the screen but a testament to her resilience and dedication. Her legacy in the series is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to rule, both in the mythical lands of Westeros and beyond.